"It's an honour just to be nominated!" Or so the saying goes. For just over a decade, Nova Scotia’s theatrical community has been gathering annually in Halifax to put that saying to the test. On March 25 at Casino Nova Scotia, awards will be handed out for the best work presented on stage in 2012. As in other years, a number of LGBTQ artists and queer-themed plays have been nominated.

"The new Pope, as world leader, remains a popular influence and if he chooses to be inclusive and rules with love instead of intolerance, many of the ills will disappear. But the Pope Benedict XVI was not a friend to the queer community."

"Helen Kennedy, Egale's Executive Director, said, 'Today’s vote represents a significant step toward recognizing and affirming the equality rights of trans and gender variant people in Canada ... This is a huge step forward, and the onus now falls to the Senate to ensure that we as a country continue to move forward in our commitment to human rights. The Senate must take all measures necessary to ensure swift passage of this vital piece of legislation.' ”

Wayves is pleased to report that MPS from all four Atlantic provinces voted across party lines in favour of Bill C-279, adding Gender Identity protections to Canada's Human Rights Act and Criminal Code. The Bill now goes to The Senate for ratification.

"From 1978 to 1983, hundreds of people carried Turret social membership cards in their wallets, and the memory of that first community-controlled lesbian and gay space has acquired mythic qualities, becoming a powerful vehicle for local Queer identity, invested with community pride.”

"Canada's Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision upholding part of a Saskatchewan Human Rights ruling against Bill Whatcott, a conservative Christian and anti-gay activist. In 2001 and 2002, Whatcott distributed four different pamphlets, going door-to-door in Regina and Saskatoon. The pamphlets contained graphic images of diseased genitalia and suggested there was a homosexual conspiracy teaching "filth" in schools."

"Censoring hate speech, however, isn’t something I’m conflicted about. I think the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in Whatcott gets it wrong from both perspectives. It permits an unacceptable interference with free speech. And, it supports government actions which make things worse for queer Canadians, not better."

If you are gay men who are over 18 years of age, live together and have been a couple for at least two years, you may be eligible to participate in a research study investigating the efficacy of the Hold Me Tight relationship enhancement group.